Zechariah 6:1-9

1 I looked up again and saw four chariots going out from between the two mountains. They were mountains of bronze.

2 The first chariot had red horses. The second had black horses.

3 The third had white horses. And the fourth had strong, spotted horses.

4 I asked the angel who was speaking with me, "What do these horses mean, sir?"

5 The angel answered, "They are the four spirits of heaven. They are going out after standing in the presence of the Lord of the whole earth.

6 The chariot with the black horses is going toward the north, and the white horses are following them. The spotted ones are going toward the south."

7 When these strong horses went out, they were eager to patrol the earth. He said, "Go, patrol the earth!" And they patrolled the earth.

8 Then he called out to me, "Look! Those who went to the north have made my Spirit rest in the north."

9 The LORD spoke his word to me. He said,

Zechariah 6:1-9 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO ZECHARIAH 6

This chapter contains a vision of four chariots, and the explanation of it; and an order to make crowns of gold and silver for certain uses mentioned; and a famous prophecy concerning the Messiah as the builder of the temple, the church. The chariots are described by their number, four; by the place, the mountains, from whence they came out; and by the different colour of the horses in each of them, Zec 6:1-3 upon the prophets inquiry what these were, an explanation is given of them; and they are said to be the four spirits of the heavens; and are described by their situation, standing before the Lord of the whole earth; by their mission from him; by each of the places to which they were sent; and by their success, or by the good effects produced, at least by some of them, Zec 6:4-8 then follows the order to make the crowns; and it is declared what they should be made of, gold and silver; from whom they were to be had, and who were to be concerned herein; and what was to be done with them; they were to be put upon the head of Joshua the high priest, Zec 6:9-11 who, being an eminent type of Christ, a prophecy concerning him is ordered to be delivered to him; who is described by his name, the man, the Branch; by the place he should grow up from; by the work he should do, building the temple of the Lord; by the glory he should have on account of it; and by the offices of King, Priest, and Prophet, he should execute, Zec 6:12,13 and after this was done, then the crowns were to be laid up in the temple of the Lord for a memorial, by the four men above mentioned, Zec 6:14 and though the Messiah is the chief builder of the temple, the church, yet it is suggested that others, and even Gentiles, should come and build in it; and which when done, it would be evident that the prophet had his mission to the Jews of the Lord; and the chapter is closed with a promise of the accomplishment of all this, should they diligently hearken to the voice of the Lord, Zec 6:15.